In the golden September with sweet-scented osmanthus in bloom, the world sets its eye on the Green City—Nanning. On the morning of September 21, the opening ceremony of the 16th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS) opens in Nanning.
2019 is the first year for the implementation of the China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership Vision 2030, and the China-ASEAN Year of Media Exchanges. The 16th CAEXPO and CABIS, centered on the theme of “Building the Belt & Road, Realizing Our Vision for a Community of Shared Future” has got the close attention of China, ASEAN countries and other countries along the Belt and Road.
Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Indonesian President’s Special Envoy and Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Myanmar's First Vice President U Myint Swe, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong, Lao Deputy Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Jurin Laksanavisit, Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, Minister II of Finance and Economy of Brunei Darussalam Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah, Minister of International Trade and Industry of Malaysia YB Datuk Darell Leiking, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Singapore Mr. Koh Poh Koon, Under-Secretary of Department of Trade and Industry of the Philippines Abdulgani M. Macatoman, Secretary of State of Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Technology of Poland, the special partner of the 16th CAEXPO, Marcin Ociepa, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN Secretariat Aladdin D. Rillo, Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy China International Trade Representative Yu Jianhua, Chairperson of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Gao Yan and Secretary of the CPC Guangxi Regional Committee and Chairman of Guangxi Regional People’s Congress Lu Xinshe jointly unveil the 16th CAEXPO and CABIS.
Ministers from China and ASEAN countries, local government officials, heads of financial institutions, presidents of chambers of commerce and trade associations, leaders of international organizations, entrepreneurs, experts, scholars and personages from all walks of life will also attend the opening ceremony.
The opening ceremony is held in the Golden Osmanthus Hall of Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center. Artists from Indonesia, country of honor and Poland, the special partner, stage warm-up performances with their unique styles. Hung around the walls are photos of beautiful yet distinctive urban landscapes from China, ten ASEAN countries and Poland.
In 9 o’clock on the morning, the opening ceremony formally begins. The opening ceremony is moderated jointly by Governor Chen Wu of the host Guangxi and Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita of Indonesia, country of honor.
Secretary of the CPC Guangxi Regional Committee and Chairman of Guangxi Regional People’s Congress Lu Xinshe, Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy China International Trade Representative Yu Jianhua and Chairperson of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Gao Yan take floor on behalf of organizer, sponsors and CABIS.
Han Zheng delivered the keynote speech, followed by speeches by Minister Luhut, First Vice President U Myint Swe, Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Jurin Laksanavisit, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam and remarks by Marcin Ociepa and Secretary of State.
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank President Jin Liqun and Xiaomi Chairman & CEO Lei Jun also deliver speeches, indicating new steps for the CAEXPO to build bridges between government and the business community, serve the Belt and Road Initiative, and work for China-ASEAN business cooperation, which has sent a strong signal of the business community’s strong desire for international cooperation under the BRI framework.
The opening ceremony is themed on “sophisticated work for a joint future”. Focused on this theme. Focusing on this theme, the video played at the opening ceremony showcases the Chinese wisdom of paper-cutting; sculpture by the craftsman symbolizes connectivity in five areas. Paper carving templates and rubbings based on projects show the sharing and communication of China-ASAN community of a shared future. From paper, paper carving to paint roll, carving represents craftsmanship to create cooperation projects, rubbing represent sharing and then win-win outcomes. A blueprint for the China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership Vision 2030 in unfolding.
“I announce 16th CAEXPO and CABIS open.” With this announcement by Vice Premier Han Zheng, VIPs come to the podium to transform from rubbings to a paint roll. Outcomes in five types of connectivity transform from blank, then colorful and be connected with other rolls on the screen. A five-color “2030 vision”, with images of priority projects in 11 countries printed on the roll, flies over the podium. A blueprint heralding win-win cooperation and sharing has started well with a bright future.
The curtains were drawn for the 16th CAEXPO and CABIS amid warm applause.
In the opening ceremony, the launching ceremony is held for China-ASEAN Week, China-ASEA Year of Media Exchanges. Representatives from media administrative authorities jointly launch the device of “Wonderful View” and the light on the platform is on, indicating sincere cooperation among Chinese and ASEAN.
“A beautiful landscape has been drawn on the roll, objectives will be met on both land and maritime ways.” In the past 16 years since the CAEXPO and CABIS was held, China’s all-around cooperation with ASEAN has been growing quickly, with fruitful outcomes. The CAEXPO and CABIS has become a premier platform for comprehensive cooperation between China and ASEAN in political, economic, trade, cultural and people-to-people fields. With a new start, the CAEXPO and CABIS will undertake the important mission of upgrading the China-ASEAN FTA, bring about a brilliant vision featuring multiple wins, and push China-ASEAN cooperation into a new era.
